Isn’t it lovely when our muses are also our closest friends?
I have been inspired by Hope Sword for as long as I can remember. She is, and has always been a true creative. Growing up, this was evident in the way that she threw outfits together, the things that she loved, and through the way that she saw the world around her. We grew up down the road from each other, and now she has paved the way for me out West as a fellow “California girl.”
Based in Los Angeles, Hope sprinkles her magic near and far by way of her floral design company - PIGSTY! I love GOOP’s description - “If you’re going to open a flower company, you might call it something sweet and whimsical. If you’re going to open a flower company with wit and irreverence, you might call it Pigsty. Which is exactly what Hope Sword did.”
I asked Hope a few questions about what inspires her - and some fun things about her L.A. world. Before la vida quarantina, I had plans to go study with Hope to soak up some of her tricks of the trade. It is one of the things I am most looking forward to once life gets back to normal !
AEH : What led you to dive into flowers ?
HTS : I have always felt compelled to be in the garden. Since I was a little girl and in my mom’s garden or my aunts garden, it was important to be outside watching things grow. I began doing flowers professionally when I was in college, twice a week at a small shop. I fell in love with that shop and with the comfort of working with my hands. That feeling has never left me.
AEH: What does a typical work day in the life of HTS look like ?
HTS: If it’s a market day, I wake up around 6:30 , make a coffee & warm lemon ginger water to go - and get to the flower market. I cut and process all my flowers in my studio , prep for the day and inform my girls what we’re working on. If we’re busy - we’re doing restaurant weekly accounts, delivering bouquets to our retail clients, arrangements for events or getting deliveries out the door :)
AEH: Describe the Pigsty vibe.
HTS: I like for things to feel wild but contained, and have movement. I also love to see texture so I am always trying to keep textures interesting.
AEH: Where do you find inspiration?
HTS: I love to see what my fellow florists are doing, I peruse modern art around Instagram, sit in my garden or look around Pinterest for unusual color palettes. Recently I’ve loved browns and creams and lavender.
AEH: What most excites you about what you do ?
HTS: Honestly sometimes just the way an arrangement turns out will excite me. I love seeing how things evolve and develop into complete arrangements or bouquets. It can be so hard to photograph the things so I try to really enjoy them before they go out into the world.
AEH: What are 3 of your favorite places in Venice ?
HTS: To eat? Gjusta :) Zinque, Felix. To hang: Topanga trails, beach, on a bike ride around to see friends.
Thank you Hope!!!
Follow Hope’s latest adventures on instagram - you will probably learn something fun!
